Open Thread

Open Thread - Thurs 19 Dec 2024 - Saturnalia is soon!

Saturnalia is Soon!

Last Sunday I watched a movie! Me! I really, really enjoyed it, which shocked the heck out of me. And, it is a Christmas movie, although that really didn't occur to me when I watched it. I wasn't paying attention to that aspect. Yea, there was a Santa in it but it was more the social and cultural stuff the movie discussed that struck me.

The movie is called 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'. It was filmed/released in 1947. Yes, it's in black and white. It's a comedy. No, I didn't recognize any of the stars' names, except Alan Hale, Jr (Hi, Skipper!), although I recognized a face or two. You can watch it, or download it, on the internet archive.


Mom (Mary), Jim, Trudy, Dad (Michael J. O'Connor): image from the Movie Database

Steak out

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I'll be late for my own funeral.
Sorry about the late post. Was up late last night with an evening dinner engagement with family.
We were at the best steakhouse in Portland, The Ringside, and I splurged and had a 12 Oz. Dry aged bone_in New York cut priced at $84.
What was the occasion?

cheese plate

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a local dairy makes some mighty fine cheese selections

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you may have heard Canada's finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigned.
oops, one less Neo-nazi in power. Who is next? Trudeau, Zelensky, Scholz,
Macron, or Yoon? Unpopularity in crooked leaders is growing like cheese mold.

The Weekly Watch

Black Flags Over Damascus

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This moment reminds me of the US celebrating bin Laden and al Queda for ridding Afghanistan of the USSR. Later he declared war on the US. I suspect HTS and al Golani will play out in a similar manner. No matter, the nation state of Syria is no more. Of course it was a post world war (1946) creation itself, although Damascus is quite old. Many scholars believe that, among the ancient cities of the world, Damascus is perhaps the oldest continuously inhabited. Over the centuries, Damascus has been conqueror and conquered, wealthy and destitute, and capital of empire and small states. Sadly it's pluralistic culture is likely to be dissolved. (excellent article)

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Album of the Week 12-14-24

Afternoon folks!

There's some pretty cool stuff this week. Starting off we've got an early 70's John Lee Hooker album with some really great boogie tunes on it followed by a Stax-era Albert King album. Then it's on to blues-rock with the deluxe 3-disc version of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's lost session - some great stuff on it. After that there's a Little Feat album and an Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later album. Finishing off, there's a folky Richard Thompson solo acoustic album.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!

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